Thomas BUNCE (1612-1683) of Hartford, Connecticut, Part 2
Thomas Bunce,
an original proprietor of
Hartford, Connecticut
and Some of His Descendants
— Part 2 of 4 —
MENU

Fourth Generation

13.  Jacob Bunce, baptized 22 May 1715 in Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut, worked as a blacksmith, married (1) about 1740, in Cornwall, Connecticut, Martha _____, who died 19 Dec 1759, Canaan, Litchfield Co., Connecticut, married (2) 4 Aug 1760, in Canaan, Connecticut, Hope Graves. Jacob probably died in New York state. In a Nov. 1975 letter from Mrs. Alice K. Howard, who wrote a manuscript on the Genealogy of the family of Thomas Bunce of Hartford, Jacob Bunce moved from Wethersfield, Conn., to Canaan, Conn. where his 6 children by his first wife, Martha ______, were born and where Martha d. in 1759, and Jacob married his second wife Hope Graves in 1760. The family then moved to Norfolk, Conn. in 1761, after which Mrs. Howard lost track of them. According to a later letter from Russell E. Bidlack to Bonnie Bunce dated 13 Mar 1988, the family then removed to King’s District, Albany Co., New York about 1770, since a Jacob Bunce was taxed there in 1779. (King’s District is now the Towns of Lebanon and Canaan, Columbia Co., New York, which border Hillsdale, N.Y., and Hillsdale is where the family of my Peter Bunce, Sr. resided at the time of the 1810 census). Mr. Bidlack further stated he thought the father of Hope Graves, was Joseph Graves, later of Canaan, New York. At the present time there is a highway that connects Canaan, Connecticut to Albany, and many of today’s roads take the same routes used in earlier times.

Children by Martha _____:

14.  John Bunce III born Hartford, Hartford Co., Connecticut, on 27 Apr 1738, married Anna Bunce, baptized 31 Mar 1717, dau. of Joseph and Amy (Bishop) Bunce, Hartford, Connecticut, who died 16 Sep 1806, Hartford. John died 7 Dec 1791. Their children were:

15.  Theodosia Bunce married about 1747, Nathaniel Bearding Spencer, born about 1724, died 26 Jul 1773, New Hartford, Litchfield Co., Connecticut. Theodosia died 27 Jul 1803, New Hartford, Litchfield Co., Connecticut. The record of Theodosia Bunce being a daughter of John and Abigail (Sanford) Bunce was found in book, Families of Early Hartford, Connecticut by Lucius Barnes Barbour, published 1977 by Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc. p. 110. Information on family of Nathaniel and Theodocia (Bunce) Spencer is from p. 209 of Genealogi­cal Notes or Contributions to the Family History of Some of the First Settlers of Connecticut and Massachusetts by Nathaniel Goodwin, published 1856. Their children were:

16.  Isaac Bunce married Anna Church, dau. of Caleb and Sarah (Barnard) Church, who died 25 Dec 1767, in Hartford, Hartford Co., Connecticut and was buried in the Center Church cemetery. Isaac died 8 Jun 1807, and was buried in the Old North cemetery. According to a letter dated 25 Jan 1989 from Glen L. Bachelder of Lansing, Michigan to Bonnie Bunce, Isaac Bunce, father of Rory Bunce, also served in the Revolutionary War at age 49. Their children were:

17.  Jared Bunce born about 1702, married Mary Stanley, dau. of Timothy and Mary (Mygatt) Stanley, who died 17 May 1763, in Hartford, and was buried in the Center Church cemetery. Jared died 12 May 1789, in Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut. Their children were:

18.  James Bunce, Jr. married Elizabeth Ensign, dau. of James and Lydia (Baker) Ensign. James died 7 Mar 1774, Hartford, Hartford Co., Connecticut. Their children were:

19.  Aaron Bunce married before 1754, in Lebanon (now Columbia), Connecticut, Jerusha Scott, born 20 Jul 1723, Sunderland, Franklin Co., Massachusetts, dau. of William II and Elizabeth (_____) Scott, who died 3 Apr 1792. Aaron died Jun., 1783. The last name of wife of Aaron Bunce from World Family Tree CD. Information on this family is from History of Hadley, Massachusetts by Sylvester Judd, 1976, page 118. Also see Freeman-Wheeler Genealogy. Their children were:

20.  Zachariah Bunce born about 1702, Hartford, Connecticut, married about 1726, in Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecti­cut, Elizabeth Griswold, born 21 Apr 1703, Wethersfield, Connecticut, dau. of Michael and Elizabeth (Burnham) Griswold, who died 16 May 1782. Zachariah died Apr. 1781. Their children were:

21.  Jonathan Bunce, Jr. married Elizabeth _____. Jonathan died in Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut. Their children were:

22.  Abijah Bunce born 11 Feb 1709, baptized 19 Feb 1719, West Hartford Congregational Church, married Mary (_____ ) on 18 Oct 1738? (possibly a typographical error as their son Joseph was born in 1729/30). Abijah died 30 Jul 1767, Hartford, Hartford Co., Connecticut. His wife Mary (_____) Bunce died 24 Dec 1810, age 95 years. Helen (Bunce) McDonald’s Notes: “Abijah Bunce was the son of Joseph and Ann (Sanford) Bunce. He was married in the West Hartford Congregational Church which was organized in 1713 as the third church of Hartford. In Abijah Bunce's grandfather's will (Zachariah Sanford) he gives 'to my grandson Abijah Bunce son of Joseph my lot of land in Rocky Hill containing 22 acres.' Since Abijah at that date (2 Mar 1710) was only a year old, the court appointed ‘Joseph Bunce to be guardian of his son Abijah to take care of his estate descending from his grandfather Zachariah Sanford.’ There are six land deeds in Hartford Records in which Abijah Bunce is name ‘Grantor’ on the following dates: 4 Feb 1744; 31 Mar 1749; 22 Jan 1750; 29 Nov 1751; 26 May 1752; 29 Jan 1761. Abijah Bunce’s will was dated 14 July 1767, and in it he mentions ‘to Mary, my wife, 1 cow, household goods and furniture, to my eldest son Joseph, the house where he now dwells; to my son Timothy the house wherein I now dwell and lots containing an acre; to my son William the remainder of my house lot not already given away to my sons Joseph and Timothy; to my daughters Nancy and Lois, a lot of land in the common and two heifer cows about a year old and the same to my daughter Sarah.’ No mention was made of daughters Mary or Eunice, so probably they had died prior to date of will.” Their children were:

23.  Joseph Bunce married (1) Mrs. ______ Bunce, who died 26 Mar 1758, Hartford, Hartford Co., Connecticut, buried in the Center Church cemetery, married (2) Mrs. ______ Bunce, who died 27 Mar 1766, Hartford, and was buried in the Center Church cemetery, married (3) Susannah _____. Information on the family of Joseph Bunce is taken from book, Families of Early Hartford, Connecticut by Lucius Barnes Barbour, published 1982 by Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc. Baltimore Md. In Families of Early Hartford, Connecticut by Lucius B. Barbour, there’s a notation under section for Joseph Bunce, that “Dist[ribution] to Susannah Bunce widow of Ensign Joseph Bunce Apl 1, 1778. Perez Bunce m. Hannah — had a mother Susannah.” So it could be assumed that he had married a third wife, named Susannah, who inherited his estate, and that she had a son named Perez, who married Hannah _____.

24.  Gideon Bunce born about 1726, Hartford, Hartford Co., Connecticut, married 21 Jan 1765, in Hartford, Rebecca (Glast) Vibbard. Gideon died 19 Feb 1790, Hartford, and was buried in the Center Church cemetery. In a note in Families of Early Hartford, Connecticut by Lucius B. Barbour on p. 116, next to the name of “(Glast) Rebecca Vibbard,” it says: “(Bailey, p. 102).” Their children were:

25.  Timothy Stanley born 1708, Hartford, Connecticut, married 13 Nov 1729, in Hartford, Mary Mygatt. Their child was:

Fifth Generation

26.  John Bunce born 18 Mar 1739, Litchfield Co., Connecticut, married Annis Beach, born 26 May 1748. The name of John Bunce, whose wife is Annie Beach, was found in the DAR Patriot Index, so it appears he was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. Their children were:

27.  Daniel Bunce, born 8 Jul 1749, Canaan, Litchfield Co., Connecticut, was married twice, but his wives’ names are unknown, died 10 Dec 1823, at Pompey, Onondaga Co., New York. Per Nov. 1975 letter from Mrs. Alice K. Howard, Daniel Bunce was a soldier in the Revolutionary War as his name appears in a book, Revolutionary Soldiers of Onondaga County, New York, by Rev. Beauchamp, where it says he was a pioneer, 71 years old in 1820, which would have comported with the birthdate of Daniel Bunce born in Canaan, Connecticut in 1749. Further, his war pension record S44715 shows he was age 71 in 1820, his wife was 45, oldest child was 12 years old. His dau. Martha H. Bunce was administrator of his estate, recorded 23 May 1825. Their children were (plus others since the 1800 census for Rensselaer Co., NY had a record of 10 children in the household of Daniel Bunce):

28.  John Bunce, IV, born 1750, married (1) Sarah _____, born about 1758, who died 14 Aug 1796, married (2) Susannah Kilbourne, dau. of Nathaniel and Abigail (Jones) Kilbourne, died 25 Mar 1780, Hartford, Hartford Co., Connecticut, and was buried in the Center Church cemetery. Per p. 115 of Families of Early Hartford, Connecticut by Lucius B. Barbour, John Bunce IV was a tavern keeper. Per p. 115 of the same book, “Heirs of Susannah Bunce named in will of Nathaniel Kilbourn. Dist. of John Bunce: widow Sally, Russell eldest m. and Nathaniel youngest m.”

29.  David Bunce born about 1757, Hartford, Hartford Co., Connecticut, married 26 Dec 1780, in Hartford, Mary Hotchkiss, born 3 Apr 1762, who died 11 Aug 1787, in New Haven, Hartford Co., Connecticut. David died 13 Oct 1799, Hartford, Connecticut. Their children were:

30.  Roderick (Rory) Bunce born 9 Jan 1758, Hartford, Hartford Co., Connecticut, married 9 Jan 1783, in Hartford, Elizabeth Olcott, born 14 Jan 1763, dau. of Joseph and Elizabeth (Marsh) Olcott, Hartford, Connecticut, who died 24 Jul 1843, Cottage, Cattaraugus Co., New York. Roderick died 27 Jun 1812, New Marlborough, Berkshire Co., Mass. According to a letter dated 25 Jan 1989 from Glen L. Bachelder of E. Lansing, Michigan to Bonnie Bunce, Rory Bunce “enl. as pvt. 28 Feb 1777, 3rd Co. Regt. Conn. Troops (Col. Sam. Wyllys); cpl., 1778, Prisoner in N.Y., Disch. in N.J. after 3 yrs service. Moved to Berkshire Co., Mass. between 1790 and 1800.” In 1846, his son Simeon filed a claim with the government to collect a pension for his father’s Revolutionary War military service.

Biographical sketch from: Historical Gazetteer and Biographical Memorial of Cattaraugus Co. New York ed. by William Adams, pub. 1893 History of the Town of Dayton—Chap. XXIII p. 535

Rory Bunce was born in Hartford, Conn., Jan. 9, 1758, and died June 27, 1812. He served in the Revolution­ary war. His wife, Elizabeth Olcott, born in Connecti­cut, Jan. 14, 1763, died in Dayton, July 24, 1843. His son Simeon was born in Hartford, Conn., June 9, 1789, and died in Dayton, Nov. 26, 1875. Dec. 28, 1814, he married Esther, daughter of Joseph and Rebecca (Putney) Brownell; she died Sept. 20, 1870. Their children were Harriet, Sanford, and Nelson. Nelson Bunce, born in Dayton, Nov. 30, 1821, mar­ried, Nov. 22, 1843, Katharine Wheeler, who died March 24, 1891. Their children were Sanford C., Maria S., Francelia, Jay B., Simeon A., and Nellie L. Mr. Bunce married, second, Mrs. Mary E. Ingalls. Jay B. Bunce married, Aug. 15, 1877, Elva A., daughter of Jacob and Adelaide Badgero. Francelia married George Hubbard, Jan. 18, 1871, and their children were Katie, Lynn P., and Melva M. She died Jan. 6, 1886.

The children of Roderick and Elizabeth (Olcott) Bunce were:

31.  Jared Bunce married (1) Lydia _____, married (2) Mary Ann _____.

32.  James Bunce III born about 1745, Hartford, Hartford Co., Connecticut, married Hannah _____. James was buried 16 Sep 1792, Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut. In Oliver-Miner, Ancestors and Descendants by Frederick L. Oliver, © 1956, p. 63, he quotes from: “Courant’s 150th Anniversary Paper: ‘While men were digging a ditch from Mill River to Mr. Merrill’s distillery, a side of the trench caved in killing James Bunce (3rd), who left a needy family.’ The result of these accidents was to revive a scheme for forming a charitable society and it was gotten underway.” Their children were:

33.  Daniel Bunce born about 1747, Hartford, Hartford Co., Connecticut, married Elizabeth Benton, born about 1753, dau. of Ebenezer and Ruth (Seymour) Benton, who died 10 Sep 1820. Daniel died 2 Apr 1824, Hartford, Connecticut. Their children were:

34.  Elizabeth Bunce born 25 Jun 1753, Hartford, Hartford Co., Connecticut, married Samuel Clark, born 13 Aug 1743, died 9 Jun 1813. Elizabeth died 16 Apr 1816. Source for informa­tion on family of Samuel and Elizabeth (Clark) Bunce is one of their descendants, Carol A. White, and she got information from “family records,” obituaries for Jerusha Clark, Horace P. Clark, Horace Clark Peck, and Henry Peck, as well as family Bible records of Fannie Peck and Mayor Henry Peck’s family Bible. The will of Henry Peck was also used as a source. Samuel and Elizabeth (Bunce) Clark lived in Middletown or Hartford, Connecticut. Their children were:

35.  Asa Bunce, born about 1756, Hartford, Hartford Co., Connecticut, married _____ widow of William Hinsdale, died 1802, Hartford. Asa died 22 Feb 1813, Hartford, Connecticut.

This Asa Bunce may have been the one in the following record from a book entitled, American State Papers:

vol. 9 - Invalid Pension Claims, pp. 64 & 113

List of Invalid Pensioners examined by the Judges of the Circuit Court of the United States for the District of Connecticut, held at New Haven, in May and October, 1792

No. 19
Rank:  Corporal
Name:  Asa Bunce
3rd Connecticut Regiment
Disability:  diseases contracted by being overheated at the Battle of Monmouth.
Residence:  Hartford
Date of Certificate:  Oct. 3, 1792
Monthly allowance: $3.67
Arrears:  $150.00
Enlisted:  April 27, 1777.
Discharged:  April 24, 1780.

Their child was:

36.  Zachariah Bunce born 5 Oct 1728, Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut, married 13 Jun 1753, in Wethersfield, Connecticut, Sarah Bowen. Their children were:

37.  Joseph Bunce, born 27 Feb 1729/30, married Elizabeth Clapp, born about 1743, dau. of Elijah and Ann (Benton) Clapp, who died 23 Apr 1799. Joseph was a sea captain, and died 11 Sep 1785, in Newport, Rhode Island. Their children were:

38.  Timothy Bunce born 1743, Hartford, Hartford Co., Connecticut, married 29 May 1763, in Hartford, to Rachel Turner, dau. of Stephen and Rachel (Ashley) Turner, who died 16 Oct 1798, in Hartford and was buried in the Center Church cemetery. Timothy died 16 Apr 1842, Hartford, Connecticut. On p. 117 of book, Families of Early Hartford, Connecticut by Lucius Barnes Barbour, © 1977, Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., Baltimore, Md., is the following information showing the connection of the family of Timothy Bunce to Peter Bunce who died in Hartford at age 30 in 1814, possibly via Timothy’s unnamed sister who had married Benjamin Withenbury.

Benjamin Withenbury, was father of the following children:

“Application gdu May 12, 1818 in bond for sale of 1/6 part of real estate owned by PETER BUNCE deed which discended to them as part of his legal heirs in common with his other heirs. Bond with Timothy Bunce. Wife of Benjamin Withenbury died July 6, 1808 (Weth. Ch.). Peter Bunce died May 3, 1814 ae. 30.” [Emphasis added.]

The children of Timothy and Rachel (Turner) Bunce:

39.  Charles Bunce, born 25 Jul 1770, Hartford, Connecticut, married (1) 31 Dec 1789, in Hartford Co., Connecticut, Sarah Bidwell, born 10 Apr 1772, died 10 Jun 1804, married (2) 24 Dec 1804, in Hartford Co., Connecticut, Anne Cadwell, born 2 Sep 1776, died 19 Oct 1856, Manchester, Hartford Co., Connecticut. Charles died 15 Dec 1853, Manchester, Connecticut. The name of Charles Bunce is mentioned in his father’s 1793 will, per a note in the book Families of Early Hartford, Connecticut by Lucius Barnes Barbour, published 1982 by Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc. Information on the wives and children of Charles Bunce is from family records provided by Linda Faulkner in an email to Bonnie Bunce, dated 27 Jun 2001, in which she wrote:  “Charles Bunce left Hartford and went to New Haven, then back to Manchester, where he worked for Hudson & Goodwin, printers and paper manufacturers. Later he bought an unfinished building and here began the manufactur­ing of paper. His business stayed in the family for sixty years and then was sold to Cheney & Co. Charles Bunce was called a ‘Pioneer Manufacturer.’” His family belonged to the Manchester Congregational Church. He, his two wives, unmarried and infant children are buried in West cemetery in Manchester. Charles is listed in the federal censuses for E. Hartford in 1800, 1810, 1820 and in the censuses for Manchester for the years of 1830, 1840, 1850.

40.  Mary Stanley (See marriage to number 17.)